Pantic, who made 107 appearances in his time at los Colchoneros, famously scored four times against Barcelona in Catalunya in a 1997 Copa del Rey tie. The Catalans eventually won that memorable game 5-4 but Pantic believes Atleti are perfectly capable of achieving a more positive result.

"If there is a team that can win at Camp Nou, it is Atletico," the 46-year-old said in an interview with AS.

"Barcelona are spectacular, and not just [Lionel] Messi. It will be difficult but I think it would be good for the Spanish League. [Radamel] Falcao is now the best striker out there. Along with Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Messi, he is from another planet."

Pantic also spoke highly of los Rojiblancos coach Diego Simeone, seeing him as a catalyst for the club's impressive first half of the season.

He added: "Each team is the mirror of his coach and this team is very punchy and put in a lot of effort and heart, which I love about them.

"Simeone is doing an awesome job. He's a very smart guy - he has not failed even once," commenting that even in the defeat to Real Madrid he believed the trainer acquitted himself well.

Atletico Madrid currently sit in second in La Liga with 37 points from 15 games, six behind Barcelona.